BC Outlasts Georgia Tech to Snap Losing Streak

In what felt like a must-win game, BC held on to beat Georgia Tech 80-72 in overtime Sunday afternoon. Overcoming a season-long three game losing streak and a sluggish first half, the Eagles played well on both ends down the stretch to improve their home record to 12-2 on the season.

Before the offense came to life in the second half, BC couldn’t buy a bucket. With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the Eagles had posted just six points on 22% shooting from the field.

All the offense was compliments of two buzzer-beating three pointers from Jerome Robinson as the shot clock ticked away. The Eagles seemed stagnant, and every play Jim Christian drew up seemed to be thwarted by a swarming Yellow Jackets defense.

Following a 6-0 GT run with just under six minutes to play in the first half, the Eagles’ deficit was pushed to 12 at a score of 25-13. However, once again, the three ball came to the rescue. A pair of Ky Bowman triples ignited a little fire in the offense that was key to getting back on track in the second half.

In the end, the Eagles' success from beyond the arc proved critical. BC was 11-23 from downtown, lead by Jordan Chatman’s clutch afternoon. Chatman, who struggled to find his touch in the past few games, got his smooth stroke back, going 5-12 from three and ending with 19 points.

As the second half progressed, the Eagles slowly inched their way back into the game. Once the Eagles tied it up at 40 with just under 14 minutes to play, the game became a back-and-forth battle. With a slew of four-and-five-point runs for both teams, biggest shot of the game finally came with only 30 seconds to play in regulation.

Following a Nik Popovic pass to the corner, freshman Steffon Mitchell rose and fired a three pointer, looking to tie the game up at 69. As the ball flew through the air, any postseason hopes for the Eagles seemed to rest on this very shot.

The ball swished through the net, swinging the momentum in BC’s favor and sending the game to OT.

In overtime, the Eagles outscored GT 11-3 thanks to a show by Ky Bowman. After Robinson fouled out with five minutes to play in the second half, the burden was placed on the sophomore phenom’s shoulders, and he responded. Bowman scored 8 of his 17 points in OT, quickly sealing Georgia Tech’s fate.

BC now sits at 14-9 overall and 4-6 in the ACC, pushing them towards the middle of the pack in the conference standings. On the other hand, the Yellow Jackets fell below the even mark on the season at 11-12 following the defeat and now sit below the Eagles in the ACC.

Despite a strong start to conference play with key wins against Duke and Florida State, BC is still on the outside looking in according to many NCAA tournament projections. However, a victory Tuesday night against an injured Notre Dame team could move the Eagles closer to the bubble.

BC will take on the Fighting Irish Tuesday night at 8 p.m. inside the Joyce Center. With the absence of star power forward and ACC preseason player of the year Bonzie Colson, the Eagles have a prime opportunity to steal one in South Bend.

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